Nilsson told ESPN.com that adidas’ push to get more teams in short-sleeved jerseys is fueled by their desire to see more fans in NBA jerseys. The company pays about $35 million per year to be the NBA’s apparel provider and would like to see some return, according to ESPN.com.

They have time to increase fan interest, as their contract with the NBA runs through the 2016-2017 season.

All 30 NBA teams were offered the option of adding short-sleeve jerseys as an alternate, said Sal LaRocca, the NBA’s executive vice president of global merchandising.

LaRocca believes the addition of short-sleeve jerseys will provide a good alternative in retail, but does not expect sales to eclipse those of original jerseys.

"The life cycle of our jersey continues to be really strong," LaRocca told ESPN.com. "Over the last few years, sales of our traditional tank-top basketball jersey has been growing worldwide. But we know that more men are comfortable wearing T-shirts than tank tops, so the idea that part of our consumer base would be interested in wearing a jersey with sleeves makes sense."

Golden State was the first team to wear the jerseys last season, an elite shooting team that served as a good test of perceived notions that sleeves could hinder full range of motion of hurt shooting.